Women in Need of Sponsorship

Each of the ladies working for True Vineyard Ministries has her own story. We encourage you to spend some time reading them - to see just how much these women have lost, survived and overcome. We hope you will prayerfully consider partnering with us through sponsorship.

Belancila

Belancila was hired by True Vineyard Ministries in March 2011. Before this job, she was lonely and hopeless, unable to provide food or clothes for her family, but now she is able to afford both. Her husband died in 2003 from HIV. Belancila is HIV+ and has been taking antiretroviral medication since 2005. She is thankful to God because all five of her children have tested negative for HIV. She prays every day for God’s continued provision.

67% Sponsored

Adrienne

Adrienne grew up in the home of her uncle. She was often mistreated but, when she accepted Christ, the abuse became worse so she left his home and moved to Musanze. She was allowed to live in a home that was paid for by her church. Adrienne was forced to beg food from her neighbors. She is grateful for her job with True Vineyard and loves working in the company of the other ladies.

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Aimée Olive

When she was five years old, Olive became seriously ill and was unable to walk. Olive sought out True Vineyard after she learned the organization was looking for knitters. She believes she can help the organization grown by sharing her talents. She is looking forward to helping her family enjoy a stable life through her employment.

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Angelique

Angelique lost her husband after 10 years of marriage, leaving her a single mother of five. Angelique was so desperate to feed her children that she turned to prostitution. During this time she contracted HIV. After joining True Vineyard, Angelique began contributing to the savings cooperative because her home was in desperate need of repair. In March of 2018, Angelique was able to purchase a new roof for her home. She looks forward to making additional improvements in the future.

33% Sponsored

Assinati

Assinati was born the third of eight children. As an adult, she became a single mother. The father of her baby abandoned her and her parents disowned her, claiming she had brought shame upon the family. Before coming to work for True Vineyard, there were days when it is was impossible to find enough food to feed her daughter and siblings. Assinati is grateful for finding a job that allows her to build a small house for her family.

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Betty

Beatrice was born into a single parent family. Her father passed away while her mother was pregnant with Beatrice. Though her family was very poor, Beatrice was able to complete secondary school. Finding food was difficult for the family and Betty and her siblings were often limited to a single meal each day. Betty often worked at construction sites carrying building materials. She is thrilled to now have a place with True Vineyard. She is happy to have the opportunity to help her family and believes her future is bright.

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Chantal

In 1982, Chantal's father passed away and the family was forced to work cultivating land for very little pay. Despite the hardship, Chantal was able to finish secondary school, earning a degree in accounting. She married in 1998 and has six children. Since becoming an employee of True Vineyard, Chantal has been able to buy two sheep and provide regular meals for her children.

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Clothilde

Clothilde is the firstborn of seven children. She is the proud mother of a nine month old baby. Without a steady income, Clothilde often worried that she would not be able to pay her rent or provide enough food for her baby. She is tremendously grateful for her job with True Vineyard; for the the salary, her increased self confidence and the friendships she is building with the other ladies.

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Dancile

Dancile was born into a family of ten children, but she lost multiple siblings when the family tried to return to Rwanda from Congo in 1994. Life in Rwanda was difficult and Dancile was forced to drop out of school. She took jobs as a house keeper. Dancile is widowed and caring for two children. She believes working for True Vineyard Ministries will allow her to care for her family and make much needed repairs to her home.

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Edith

Edith and her brother are the only members of her family to survive the Rwandan Genocide. Her parents and six other siblings were killed in 1994. During the Genocide, Edith was attacked by men with machetes who left her for dead among others who had been slain. She spent three days unconscious among the bodies. Edith began working for True Vineyard in 2014.

67% Sponsored

Esther

Esther was found abandoned on a bridge when she was a baby. She knows nothing about her birth family. Esther was adopted into a family when she was an infant and was able to attend school through the elementary grades. Esther believes that the communal support found at True Vineyard Ministries can provide her with the feeling of having a family. She is looking forward to healing the wounds left from her abandonment.

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Eulerie

Euralie was born into a family of eight children. Sadly, during the 1994 Genocide, her entire family was killed. Euralie was the sole survivor. Euralie was briefly married, but her husband left after a year of marriage because they were unable to have children. Euralie now lives alone, but is hopeful that her employment with True Vineyard Ministries will provide her with a much needed salary and emotional support.

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Florentine

Florentine has lived a life of isolation because she happens to be deaf. She is married to a man who is deaf and gave birth to twins who did not survive. Before working for True Vineyard, Florentine says she did not know what she was going to do with her life. Now, she says she is happy. She is grateful for the access she has to counseling and says she now has great hope for "the best future".

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Gaudence

Gaudence lost her mother when she was 3 months old. She has only seen one photo of her mother. Gaudence used to earn a living carrying rocks on her head to clear construction areas. Gaudence is grateful for her job with True Vineyard and is working to build a savings account.

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Immaculée

Immaculée was born into a family of 15 children. She has lost both of her parents; her mother to an unknown illness and her father was murdered. Immaculée currently lives with two of her siblings. She has struggled all her life to find employment. Often, Immaculée would wash the clothes of others so she could buy food. Now, is grateful for the counseling provided by True Vineyard. She also enjoys the morning worship and devotional that is an integral part of every work day. Immaculée is working hard to build her savings account.

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Janviere

Janviere is the first born in a family of seven. As the oldest, she was expected to care for her younger siblings. In 1994, while in Congo, Janviere decided to get married in order to escape the responsibility of raising her brothers and sisters. Janviere has suffered from many illnesses in her life and has had difficulty finding work. This left Janviere feeling guilty that she could not provide an education for her four children. Janviere believes that working for True Vineyard Ministries will allow her to care for her ill husband and ensure all of her children are able to attend school.

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Josephine

While still in school, Josephine became a single mother, giving birth to a baby conceived by rape. Afterwards, she married and had two more children but her husband soon regretted the marriage and left her. Her current living situation is unstable, with Josephine moving from place to place and having no permanent home. He hopes her job with True Vineyard will allow her to provide a stable home for her children.

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Julienne

When she was 16, Julienne and her family fled Rwanda to escape the atrocities of the Genocide. They lived in exile in the Congo for a year before returning to Rwanda in 1995. Upon their return, Julienne’s family learned that most of their relatives who had chosen to remain in Rwanda had been killed. Julienne has one daughter and also cares for her brother’s child, but she suffers from an undiagnosed condition that causes her to have pain in her chest. Because of this, people in her community refused to hire her, thinking she was weak. Julienne survived by begging from neighbors before working for True Vineyard Ministries. She is grateful for the steady income and access to health care she receives while working for True Vineyard.

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Liberatha

Liberatha is the youngest of four children. Although she was previously married, Liberatha’s husband left her. She lived in poverty and a constant state of hunger until finding employment with True Vineyard Minsitries. She is hopeful this new job will be a source of life-changing support for her and her child.

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Mama Janti

Mama Janti is the sixth child in a family of eight. She lost her father in 1982 and one sibling during the war in 2002. Before working for True Vineyard, Mama Janti worked on construction sites, performing grueling physical labor for little pay. Now, she receives steady income carding wool for True Vineyard. She is happy that she is now able to pay her rent and provide food and clothing for her children.

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Mama Andrew

Mama Andrew is thrilled to have a position with True Vineyard. As is often the case in Rwanda, Mama Andrew endured a difficult childhood. Her father was murdered when Mama Andrew was 10 years and, just four years later, she lost her mother to an unknown illness. Although she has three children, Mama Andrew could only afford to send one child to school because she could not pay school and supply fees for all three. In 2012 Mama Andrew’s husband died, leaving the family destitute and homeless. Since coming to True Vineyard, Mama Andrew has joined the savings cooperative and purchased a goat for her family. She now has steady income and is able to rent a home and send all of her children to school.

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Mama Berthe

Berthe lost both of her parents when she was very young. Her father died in a car accident and her mother succumbed to an undiagnosed illness. Berthe was placed in an orphanage and dropped out of elementary-equivalent school. Berthe was married at 21, but her hubsand died after five years of marriage. They had not yet bought a house, so Berthe was left a homeless single mother to two children. Since obtaining employment with True Vineyard, Berthe has been able to pay rent on a home and provide her children with plenty of food to eat.

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Mama Cadeau

Mama Cadeau was born the 14th of 15 children, but has lost both parents and twelve of her siblings to various illnesses. Mama Cadeau is widowed and has fought to free herself from poverty all her life. Like many of our ladies, she plans to take advantage of the optional savings cooperative available at True Vineyard. She hopes to buy a goat.

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Mama Gisubizo

At the age of seven, Mama Gisubizo, or Beatrice, was living alone on the streets of Musanze, begging for food and sleeping wherever she could. Eventually, she found work as a house girl and nanny, but she was unable to hold any position long term. In 2003, she met her husband in Kigali but, after a year, he left her and their two-month-old son, Prince. She returned to Musanze and worked any job she could find. Eventually, Beatrice became sick and discovered she was HIV+. Since coming to work for True Vineyard, Beatrice has joined the savings cooperative. She was the recipient of a new home, purchased by generous donors. Beatrice now calls True Vineyard her family and says she now has peace and hope.

33% Sponsored

Mama Innocente

Mama Innocente was born into a family of eight, but lost three of her siblings and her father to an unknown illness. Mama Innocente was unable to continue her education because her family could not afford the school fees. She is a single mother of four children and has had difficulty finding gainful employment. Since joining True Vineyard, her children have been able to attend school and she is able to provide them with food and clothing. Mama Innocente has opted to join the savings cooperative in order to further improve her financial stability.

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Mama Manzi

Mama Manzi is a Genocide survivor but she lost her father during the conflict. She dropped out of high school to enter into a forced marriage with a soldier. Mama Manzi took many small jobs in an attempt to earn an income, but none were successful. After 12 years of marriage Mama Manzi's husband died and she fell into depression and loneliness. She says she feels comfortable working at True Vineyard because many of the ladies working there have experienced similar loss. Like many of the ladies, Mama Manzi looks forward to building her savings account.

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Mama Ngabire

Mizero is the youngest of four children. Both of her parents are HIV positive. Mizero was unable to continue her education because her family was constantly sick and unable to work to pay for school fees. Mizero is happy to be working at True Vineyard. She is grateful for the counseling program and says she now holds great hope for her future.

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Mama Nirere

Mama Nirere is a widowed mother of eight children. She has struggled to pay the school fees so that all of her children may receive their educations. Mama Nirere never received an education herself and has struggled with her confidence when communicating with others. She is grateful for the counseling provided by True Vineyard and for her steady income. She is currently building her savings account in the hope of one day buying land.

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Mama Pacifique

Mama Pacifique is the only surviving member of her immediate family. Both parents and her sister are deceased. As a teenager, Mama Pacifique was married and had three children before her husband also died. The life of a single mother is very difficult in Rwanda. Mama Pacifique tried to earn a living selling fruit and vegetables but could not bring in enough money to support her family. Since joining True Vineyard, Mama Pacifique says she is now very happy. She has taken advantage of the counseling program and has learned how to better communicate with her family. She says the ladies she works with at True Vineyard are now part of her family.

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Mama Sonia

Mama Sonia is a Genocide survivor who grew up in a single parent household. At 16, Mama Sonia lost her mother to complications from HIV and forced to bear the responsibility of caring for younger family members. Eventually, she married a soldier and had three children of her own, but her husband was terribly abusive and she chose to leave him. Mama Sonia loves spending time with her coworkers at True Vineyard and is excited to build her savings account. She hopes to buy land one day.

33% Sponsored

Marie

Marie is a widow with two children. Her husband lost his life to HIV/AIDS and, six years after his death, Marie learned that she, too, was HIV positive. Much of Marie's life has been spent searching tirelessly for employment. Marie was hired by True Vineyard in September of 2017. She is hopeful that working for TVM will ensure that she and her children never have to worry about going to bed hungry.

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Mizero

Mizero is the youngest of four children. Both of her parents are HIV positive. Mizero was unable to continue her education because her family was constantly sick and unable to work to pay for school fees. Mizero is happy to be working at True Vineyard. She is grateful for the counseling program and says she now holds great hope for her future.

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Mutuyi

Mutuyi lost both of her parents by the time she was five years old and lives with the regret of never knowing her mother. She is currently a single mother to four adopted nieces and nephews because her brother died from an unknown illness. Mutuyi never had the chance to go to school and had a difficult time finding employment. She was hired by True Vineyard as a knitter and is now able to save money and provide for her family.

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Nirere Esperance

Nirere never had the opportunity to attend school. She worked alongside her family farming local land. Nirere married but, after only two years, lost her husband unexpectedly. She remarried and had three children. Nirere is grateful that her children are able to attend school and receive an education. She enjoys the counseling offered by True Vineyard and is actively working to build her savings account.

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Perpetue

Perpetue is a single mother of two daughters. Before working for True Vineyard, she tried earn money working the farmland owned by others in her community. Some days, even farming jobs were unavailable. Now, Perpetue earns a steady income carding wool. She loves working alongside the other ladies at True Vineyard. She is now able to provide food for her family and is working on building up her savings.

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Phoebe

Phoebe was abandoned by her parents when she was four years old and by her husband after 17 years of marriage. She is currently a single mother to two children. Phoebe has struggled to support her children, but now has gainful employment with True Vineyard carding wool. She says she has found new friends at work feels as though her job has given her honorable status within the community.

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Sifa

Sifa was born into a family of 14 children. While living in Congo their life was very poor. Sadly, the condition did not change when the family moved to Rwanda. Sifa looked for various jobs around construction sites in order to make money. She never had the chance to attend school. She married with the hope it would improve her existence, but that was not the case. Sifa has two children. She hopes her job with True Vineyard will allow her to properly care for them and enroll them in school.

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Victoire

Victoire was born into a family of 16 siblings. They endured many hardships because they did not have a large enough home to properly house the entire family. Victoire married a soldier and gave birth to her first child but, when the baby was 2 weeks old, her husband committed suicide. Victoire could not keep up with the needs of her family. She worked on construction sites and, when her child came of school age, took out many loans to pay for school fees. She is grateful that True Vineyard now covers all associated school fees for her family. She is currently saving money in the hopes of buying land in the future.

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Adelphine

Adelphine's father died when she was a girl. As a result, the family could no longer afford educational fees and Adelphine was forced to drop out of school. She wondered how she would afford to live without an education and felt ashamed when she saw former classmates who were still attending school. Adelphine was recently hired by True Vineyard. She grateful for her job and eager to plan for a new future.

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Ange

Ange gave birth to her only child while she was in secondary school. When her father learned of her pregnancy, he refused to pay her school fees and Ange was forced to drop out. Ange could not find steady work and struggled to provide for her child. Since joining True Vineyard, Ange says she can see her life changing. She now has the ability to pay for food and, when needed, medication. She building her savings and planning for her future.

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Appoline

Appoline lost her first husband during the 1994 Genocide. Although she remarried, her second husband died in 2001 due to what was assumed to be medical complications due to HIV/AIDS. Appoline is now a grandmother, but continues to care for five children and two grandchildren. She is very grateful for her job at True Vineyard. Appoline says, “I see God’s hand over me here.”

23% Sponsored

Bella

While Bella has no children, she is responsible for her aging parents and two brothers living with various disabilities. Bella was trying to earn money knitting sweaters before joining True Vineyard, but she was unable to earn enough to support her family. Now, Bella is sharing her knitting talents with True Vineyard. She is able to care for her family and is working to build up her savings.

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Cadette

Cadette was born into a family of nine children. Her mother died when Cadette was young and her father became disabled and unable to care for his children. Cadette was forced to drop out of school in order to care for her father. Cadette now works as a spinner at True Vineyard. She is hopeful that her employment will allow her to take proper care of her father.

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Agnes

Agnes was born into a family of eight. Agnes was forced to drop out of primary school to help make a living for her family. As a young woman, Agnes became pregnant and was ridiculed by family. Agnes is determined to make a better life for herself and her child. She hopes to one day buy a home of her own with the salary she makes at True Vineyard.

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Consolée

Consolée never had the opprtunity to continue her education beyond primary school because her family could not afford to pay the educational fees. Consolée was married and had four children but, sadly, her husband died unexpectedly. In order to support her family, Consolée worked on construction sites. It was difficult work that left her feeling isolated. Consolée says that, since coming to work for True Vineyard, she has a new vision and sees her life changing. She is saving money, planning for the future and grateful for the access she has to counseling.

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Dative

Dative is a single mother to four children. She also cares for a young college student who was orphaned. Before working with True Vineyard, Dative worked on construction sites carrying building materials on her head. She now earns a monthly wage spinning yarn. She says working for True Vineyard has changed her life and taken away her loneliness. All of her children are attending school and she plans to make improvements to her home.

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Diane

Diane lost her father and four siblings during the 1994 Genocide. Diane is a single mother of eight children. The prospect of feeding and clothing eight children was overwhelming to Diane and she suffered a breakdown. When Diane began working for True Vineyard Ministries, she said she now had a life of hope. She is grateful to be able to feed her children and have access to healthcare for them.

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Emerithe

Emerithe is an orphan, having lost both parents when she was 16 years old. She married in 2000 but the union was short lived. Her husband suffered a heart attack and died six months after the wedding. She is now a single mother to one child. Emerithe believes working with the other women of True Vineyard will provide her with support. She is grateful to be able to pay all school fees for her child.

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Eugenie

Eugenie lost both parents at an early age and grew up in the home of her grandmother. Eugenie was married, but lost her husband to complications from HIV/AIDS. Eugenie became isolated and felt she had no confidence. Today, Eugenie works for True Vineyard as a knitter. She is able to provide for herself and her six children. She is very proud that all of her children attend school and is part of the optional savings cooperative offered at True Vineyard.

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Francine

Francine was born into an abusive family. Her father routinely beat her mother. Francine married at the age of 19 in order to escape her father’s abuse. For a while, life was good for Francine and her husband. They opened and ran their own business. Sadly, thieves broke into the business and robbed them. Her husband was kidnapped and, although he was able to escape, returned profoundly disabled and unable to work. Francine was hired by True Vineyard in September of 2018. She loves her work with True Vineyard because she learned to knit when she was 13 years old. She is grateful that she can now provide for her children and make repairs to her home without waiting for someone else to help her.

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Hélène

Like many of our ladies, Hélène endured a difficult childhood. She did not know her mother and spent her days scavenging for food. The constant fear of starvation was unbearable. Hélène says working for True Vineyard has given her greater confidence in her abilities. She is excited to participate in the optional savings program and now looks to the future with peace and hope.

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Ingabire

Ingabire was forced to drop out of school to try to find employment. As a teenager, she married her first husband. Sadly, he died shortly after the birth of their child. Ingabire remarried and had her second child, but the marriage did not last and she is currently working as a single mother. She says supporting her family was difficult before she was hired at True Vineyard. Now, Ingabire is able to provide her children with food, clothing and safe housing.

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Joseline

Josaline never knew her immediate family. She grew up in her grandmother's home and was not able to attend school. As an adult, Josaline's husband abandoned her and she was left in isolation with deep-rooted distrust of others. Upon arriving at True Vineyard, Josaline's says she felt as though she joined a family. She is no longer isolated and is able to rent a home. She plans to buy land and build a home of her own in the future.

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Josiane

Josiane grew up in a home without ever knowing who her father was. Because the family was fatherless, they were often ostracized within the community. Josiane grew up feeling marginalized and isolated. She is thrilled to have found employment with True Vineyard and loves being part of an accepting workplace.

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Kwezi

Kwezi is a mother of 3 children. Her husband is suffering from cancer and he is unable to work to provide for his family. Before her hiring at True Vineyard, Kwezi worried about the future of her family. Now that she is receiving steady income, Kwezi is hopeful for the future.

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Lucie

Lucie is a widow with four children. She was raised by her step-mother and, while never afforded the opportunity to attend school, is proud of the fact that she knows how to read and write. Before joining True Vineyard, Lucie used to sell vegetables in the market. She believes working for True Vineyard will allow her to feed her children, provide them with an education and improve their lives.

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Mama Alexandre

Mama Alexandre never knew her father. He died when she was two years old. When she was four, her mother remarried and left Mama Alexandre in the care of her grandmother. When she was 18, Mama Alexandre decided to marry. After she gave birth to their seventh child, her husband decided to leave the family. Before joining True Vineyard as a knitter, Mama Alexandre struggled to feed and clothe her children. Now, she is working to save money and is excited that her children have access to an education.

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Mama Brian

Mama Brian was orphaned at eight years old when she lost both parents to HIV/AIDS. She grew up in the home of her stepmother, but was marginalized by the family. She was always last to be fed or clothed. Mama Brian is married and has two children. She describes her life before working for True Vineyard as hard. There was not enough food for her children and no hope for the future. Now, Mama Brian earns a steady income carding wool. She is able to provide her family with food and clothing. She says her hope is now abundant.

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Mama Dorotheé

Mama Dorotheé was married with three children, but lost her husband and one daughter to an unknown illness. As a single mother, she worked tirelessly cultivating the farmland of local land owners, but it did not provide enough money to care for her children. Since joining the True Vineyard family, Mama Dorotheé has been able to build up some savings. She enjoys having access to counseling and spending time with the other ladies.

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Mama Ineza

Mama Ineza suffers from a chronic heart condition. Before finding employment with True Vineyard, she lived with constant stress and anxiety. Her condition made finding work impossible and she worried that she would not be able to keep her two boys in school. Her doctor recommended a diet of healthy fruits and vegetables, but she could not afford to purchase them and pay for educational fees, so she went without. Now, Mama Ineza says she has hope for the future. Her job with True Vineyard is her first, and one she is incredibly proud of. She looks forward to building her savings account.

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Mama Isa

Mama Isa lost her father in 1991 and her husband during the 1994 Genocide after only five months of marriage. She remarried and gave birth to five children, but the marriage ended in divorce in 2013. Mama Isa struggled to support her family and was so grateful when she was hired by True Vineyard. She is happy that her children are now able to attend school.

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Mama Moise

Mama Moise lost both of her parents. Without anyone to pay for educational fees, she was forced to drop out of school. She married and gave birth to three children, but her husband and two of her children were killed. Mama Moise struggled to pay for health insurance and educational fees for her remaining child. She now works as a knitter for True Vineyard and says she and her child are happy. She says she now has self-confidence and is no longer ashamed of her background.

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Mama Ninja

Mama Ninja was born into a family of four siblings. Sadly, the family was ravaged by an unknown illness. Only she and one sister survived. Mama Ninja tried to make a living selling maize, but the business was unsuccessful and left her feeling like a failure. Since gaining employment with True Vineyard, Mama Ninja says she has made many friends with the other ladies.

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Mama Nzayi

Mama Nzayi has lost siblings and her father to various civil conflicts. She currently lives with her mother. Mama Nzayi is a rape survivor who was infected with HIV at the time of her assault. She lived isolated from others, consumed with shame and guilt. Since her hiring, Mama Nzayi has been building her savings. She is grateful for the friendships she has made at True Vineyard.

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Mama Safina

Mama Safina is the youngest child in a family of eleven, but lost eight of her siblings to an unknown illness. Mama Safina is married to a man who suffers from various disabilities and is unable to work, so Mama Safina has shouldered the responsibility of caring for her family. Before coming to True Vineyard, she was unable to afford school fees for her children. Now, those fees are covered by True Vineyard and Mama Safina earns a steady income, allowing her to provide food and clothing for her family.

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Maniriho

Maniriho was born into a family of 14 children, but lost two of her siblings to an unknown illness. Her family tried to survive by farming, but they could not make enough money to pay education fees and the children were forced to drop out of school. Manihiro is grateful to True Vineyard and sees the women she works with as her new family. She has started a savings account and is hopeful that her children will complete their education.

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Megitirida

Megitirida was conceived in rape when her mother was a teenager. She was adopted and raised by her grandmother. Once grown, Megitirida married and gave birth to eight children. Sadly, her husband chose to take a second wife and she decided to leave the marriage. Today, Megitirida works as a spinner of yarn.

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Muteteri

Muteteri was born into a family of 12 children, but has lost six of her siblings. Her mother died when Muteteri was 8 years old and her father soon remarried a woman who mistreated the children. Neither Muteteri nor her siblings were able to attend school because her father refused to pay for school fees. Muteteri is happy to have employment with True Vineyard Ministries. She says her new job is helping her learn how to work cooperatively with others.

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Nayiga

Nyagi grew up without a mother. Her father was an alcoholic who refused to pay the educational fees for his children, so Nyagi was forced to drop out of school. She is a single mother to two children. Before joining True Vineyard, Nyagi tried to start a small business selling maize in order to support her family, but the business did not generate enough income. Now, Nyagi earns a steady income knitting beautiful pieces. She is grateful for her job and for the access she has to counseling.

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Olive

Olive was unable to complete her education. She was forced to drop out of school because her family was unable to pay the associated fees. Olive has lived a life of poverty and abuse. She suffered beatings at the hands of her father. She is hopeful that her employment with True Vineyard will allow her to provide the education she did not receive for her younger siblings.

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Philomene

Philomene is the fourth of six children. Her parents separated when she was young and Philomene was not able to attend school. She says she was ashamed of her history and found it difficult to communicate with others. Now, Philomene works as a spinner for True Vineyard. She says the counseling program has helped her learn how to communicate and build healthy relationships. She is working on building up her savings.

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Queen

Queen lost her mother when she was ten years old. Her family could not afford to pay educational fees, so she was never given the opportunity to attend school. Prior to working for True Vineyard, Queen worked as a street vendor but could never make enough money to pay for both rent and food. Today, Queen works as a yarn spinner and is able to support herself. She is saving money and is grateful for True Vineyard's counseling program.

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Speciose

Speciose suffered tremendous loss during the 1994 Genocide. She lost her husband, oldest child, all nine of her siblings and both parents. The emotional trauma she suffered made school impossible for her and she dropped out. Speciose has benefitted greatly from the counseling provided by True Vineyard. She is learning how to communicate with others and dealing with the trauma she endured in 1994. Speciose is working to build her savings and hopes to buy a goat.

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Vincentia

Vincentia married her neighbor at the age of 25, but her husband died just seven years later. He was killed by a group of friends when he refused to participate in a robbery. They had four children together, three of whom have also died. With all of the pain she has experienced in life she, Vencentia became fearful of building relationships with others. She withdrew from society and resorted to begging for money. Vincentia was hired at True Vineyard Ministries in the spring of 2012. She has benefitted from counseling sessions and has developed strong relationships with the other ladies. Vincentia plans to be baptized later in 2018.

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Ziripa

Ziripa is the first of ten children, but has lost all siblings and her parents. Ziripa finds sharing her story difficult. We know that she is a rape survivor and a single mother to one daughter. She says that working for True Vineyard has given her greater confidence in herself.

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Yvonne

Yvonne lost her father when she was very young. Growing up in a single parent household alongside seven siblings was difficult and Yvonne was forced to drop out of school after completing the equivalent of fifth grade. Yvonne married when she was 21 and is a mother to two children. Her relationship with her husband is difficult and she is grateful for the counseling provided by True Vineyard. She also appreciates her coworkers, many of whom are dealing with the same difficulties. Yvonne is working to save money. She dreams of creating her own income generating project.

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Felina

In early 1994, Felina was a young engaged woman living in Kigali, Rwanda’s capitol city. When the killings began in April, Felina sought refuge at the Church of Saint Paul, the site of one of the most violent and infamous mass killings of the 1994 Genocide. Her fiancé and most of her family was killed. Only she and one of her sisters survived. After the Genocide she married had four children. Their family lived in extreme poverty, struggling with hunger and illness and, in 2006, her husband left her and their children. In January 2014, Felina came to work at True Vineyard Ministries. Felina is grateful for the counseling she receives at True Vineyard.

46% Sponsored

Mama Mutoni

Mama Mutoni was born in 1963. In 1994, her family fled to the Congo as a result of the Genocide. At that time, her husband developed pneumonia. Once they returned to Rwanda she took him to a hospital but the damage was already done. When Mama Mutoni’s husband died in 2000, she struggled to feed her family. Her life is much different today. Since she was hired at True Vineyard Ministries, her family eats every day, she can pay for school fees and the spiritual life of her whole family has improved. She attends a Pentecostal Church with her family.

56% Sponsored

Marguerite

Marguerite was born in 1962 and has two biological children. Before coming to work for True Vineyard Ministries her life was very difficult. Her husband died in 1994 from an unknown illness while they were refugees in Congo. They had no home and were very poor. As a poverty-stricken widow, Marguerite faced harassment from her family because of her inability to care for her children. Before coming to True Vineyard, she survived by working for others hauling sacks of potatoes or hoeing fields. She joined TVM in July 2012 and was then able to buy a goat, food and clothes. She joined the savings cooperative and was able to save enough to have electricity installed in her home.